The Standard Model of Particle Physics describes nature at its most fundamental level, the basic building blocks of matter. Despite its success, it fails to explain some phenomena such as the existence of dark matter or the excess of matter over antimatter. Furthermore, some unexplained puzzles, such as the discrepancy between experimental measurements and the theoretical prediction of the anomalous magnetic moment of muons, challenge the validity of the Standard Model and may provide the first clues for “new physics” beyond the Standard Model.

The PRISMA+ cluster of excellence makes unique contributions to the investigation of these open questions related to the validity of the standard model.

PRISMA+ scientists are searching for new particles and forces using a combination of innovative precision experiments conducted on the JGU campus and large-scale experiments at international locations.

One of the main objectives of this cluster is the construction and operation of the “Mainz Energy-Recovering Superconducting Accelerator” (MESA). MESA enables a new generation of low-energy precision experiments, such as the search for messenger particles for the dark sector, measurements of the electromagnetic form factors of protons at low momentum transfers, precision determinations of the electroweak mixing angle, and measurements of the neutron skin of heavy nuclei.

(As of 12/2024)

PRISMA+ is made up of work groups from the Institutes of Physics and Nuclear Physics, the Department of Chemistry (here: nuclear chemistry) at JGU and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz. More than 300 scientists at all career levels work in these groups.

The organizational chart shows the structural organization of our cluster of excellence.

The Helmholtz Institute Mainz for Structure, Symmetry and Stability of Matter and Antimatter (HIM) is a strategic partner of the PRISMA+ cluster of excellence. Es bietet zusätzliche Infrastruktur auf dem Campus der JGU und setzt seinen Hauptakzent auf neue Forschungsmöglichkeiten in der Hadronenphysik, insbesondere an der FAIR-Anlage der GSI Darmstadt.

Ein weiterer Partner auf nationaler Ebene ist das Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB). The collaboration was crucial for testing the MESA cryomodules in the bERLinPro accelerator facility.

On an international level, PRISMA+ works closely with the leading national research laboratory for Particle Physics in the USA, Fermilab (FNAL).

  • The coordination team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Cluster of Excellence.
  • The center for young researchers within the Cluster of Excellence is the Mainz Physics Academy (MPA).
  • For people who are new to JGU, an info portal has been created, which offers important information on various areas of life
  • Young researchers who are employed via the cluster can apply for individual support for travel to conferences, Summer Schools, etc. Information can be found here.
  • The Irène Joliot-Curie Programme for women in science provides individual support offers.
  • The Detektorlabor has an internal website for all users in the physics institutes.
  • Templates for applying for funding via the PRISMA+ Research Fund are available here.
  • The form for the reimbursement of travel expenses for external persons (e.g. seminar speakers) can be found here.
  • The procurement application for orders can be found here (xlsx document).
  • The organizational regulations for the cluster of excellence can be found here (PDF document).